Friday, March 28, 2014

Five on Friday: Currently Loving

Yes. I am still here. We have been all kinds of busy lately. But that is a good thing. :)

Have you seen the Oh Joy! collection from Target? So darling. Let's all take a moment to recap that I need more cups/glasses like never. We are busting at the seams with glasses and have to reorganize our cabinets every few months to clean up. Buuttt, how cute would these be with a margarita sitting outside for happy hour? Loving the kilim poufs at Target as well. They are colors I think we can all work with as well. Nothing too out there. Got these pj shorts and seriously, how cute are they? And since Spring is taking its dear sweet time to arrive, we can all prep a little bit longer to make sure we are ready for shorts and skirts and dresses. Loving this shave cream and putting on coconut oil after a shower. I started using coconut oil while pregnant and still love it. Ps- no stretch marks.

Currently Loving 1


Enjoy your weekend...
and make sure to follow our weekend adventures on instagram for a mini vacay! (@missdixie30)

Linking up with the ladies of Five on Friday:

Friday, March 21, 2014

Five on Friday: Distressed Favorites + DIY Distressed Jeans

If you are like me you are loving all the distressed denim out in stores. I actually have a pair on order from Gap, but I wanted a darker pair as well. I had a pair of old skinnies I wasn't wearing anymore and decided to give it a go. 

From left to right- original skinnies, skinnies marked with chalk, and distressed skinnies.



My first step was to put on the jeans and then mark with chalk where I wanted to distress. After looking up some favorites online, I decided on the places above. Once your pants are marked {and taken off!}, put a piece of cardboard inside the jean where you are working. I used an exacto knife to scrape the surface, slowly wearing away the threads. Scrape with the knife going in a horizontal direction across the surface, so you will end up thinning the vertical threads. In places I wanted a slit, I just cut all the way through with the knife. 



Keep in mind yours will distress even more as they wash. This is after just one wash.


And here are my five favorite pairs of distressed denim you can buy right now! Love them all.


And of course linking up with the ladies of Five on Friday, The Good Life, A. Liz Adventures, Carolina Charm, and Hello Happiness


Monday, March 17, 2014

Recipe: Stephen's Soy Shrimp + Rice Bowls


Several weeks ago, I posted a picture on instagram (missdixie30) of a fabulous dinner we had that night, Fried Rice + Shrimp. {That recipe is at the very end of the post!} I got a ton of feedback and questions on it, and I am here to deliver the key ingredient: my husband's soy shrimp.

Let's do a little back tracking though. We live at the beach and fresh seafood is literally just a stop on our way home from work. We always buy our seafood at local markets. When you find a trusted seafood market you like, you can bank on seafood caught that morning and on your plate that night. That is pretty amazing and nothing can compare to the freshness! We have been incorporating seafood so much more into our diet and I can't say enough how much I am enjoying this new eating plan. We eat shrimp and fish each about once a week cooked at home, plus if we dine out we are usually eating seafood. Also, if you want tips on freezing your seafood I would be happy to share if anyone is interested. Even though we live at the beach, we will buy a ton of fresh shrimp and freeze them in bags according to what we usually consume.

Anyway- getting back to the recipe! We love this Shrimp with Fried Rice, and most recently we have made Shrimp Rice Bowls which were fantastic. All of the recipes will be listed or linked below. And yes, this recipe is written straight from my chef of a husband- he is so excited to be featured today! 




STEPHEN'S SOY SHRIMP
Ingredients:
1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp 
2 tbsp olive oil 
½ of a lemon 
½ tbsp. butter 
Soy sauce 

Directions:
-Heat olive oil in pan to a medium heat
-Add shrimp and cook about 2 min or until they look seared on one side, then flip.
-Cook for another minute then add about ½ tbsp. of butter
-Let that cook for about 30 seconds then squeeze the lemon onto the shrimp.
-Last add soy sauce, I normally pour until it can coat them all. Not a lot is needed. Flip/stir to coat both sides, only cook in the soy for about 20-30 seconds.
-Note: You may need to flip/stir shrimp more than once depending on your skillet and temp to keep them from getting too cooked on one side.


SHRIMP RICE BOWLS {slightly adapted from}
Ingredients:
-Jasmine Rice {I prefer Minute brand rice}
-Stephen's Soy Shrimp
-1 Avocado, Diced
-Cherry Tomatoes, cut in half
-Sharp White Cheddar Cheese, shredded
-1 can of Black Beans, drained and rinsed
-2 green onions, chopped white and light green parts
-Sour Cream


I start by chopping the tomatoes and onions, grating the cheese and prepping beans. After ready, I put each ingredient in their own bowl so everyone can assemble their own as desired. Prepare rice according to package directions and cook shrimp accordingly. Dice avocado and add to the serving station. Enjoy! 

Last but not least, the fried rice recipe {seen below} I use and love is by Christy Jordan. You can find it here. It is fabulous alone or with shrimp, chicken etc. It is easy to sub in what veggies you have on hand or prefer. For ours, I like to use a bag of assorted frozen peppers and onions. Makes it super easy. Everyone needs a good fried rice recipe and this one does not disappoint!



Friday, March 14, 2014

Five on Friday: Food and Fashion

Seriously, how pretty are these? I'm very obsessed with them. I'm picturing them with white skinny jeans and a flowy top. Or with a sundress, or even a cute pair of shorts! Is anyone else willing to shop for Spring since it's taking forever for it to get here and stay? Anyway, find these beauties here.
Spend vs. Splurge
These are a real bargain, vs. my all time favorite pair of glasses that I have wanted forever. The anthros would be perfect for throwing in your beach bag, when you just need a cheapie pair. I haven't bought a pair in a while so I'm really thinking I need the Number Ones. And since I know my hubby is reading, they would be a great Anniversary gift ;)

 

I love these t-shirts and I love the colors available for Spring. How pretty is this neon violet!? Stock up now and you will not be disappointed. I swear.


Favorite Snack This Week
 I'm not sure why this combination is so good, but it really is. Stephen and I are loving Nut-Thins- they are gluten free, low in calories, low in sodium, and I really like the crunch. I bought them ages ago, forgot about them and just recently started purchasing them again. And the smoked gouda/cheddar is the perfect complement! I tried it at my parents house and was surprised how much I liked it.


St. Patty's Day Treats
I simply could not resist the green Lucky Charms box at the end of the grocery store aisle, so the box came home with me along with a bag of marshmallows to make these treats. Just make like your regular  Rice Krispie treats. (I used one stick of butter, one bag of marshmallows and 6 cups of Lucky Charms). Seriously, so yum.


Have a great weekend everyone!




Thursday, March 13, 2014

Thursday Lovin'

My Gold + White Beaded Chandelier got some good lovin' being featured on the Best of the Nest. If you haven't heard yet, it's a wonderful round up of projects each month. For me, this is great because I have less than ample time to browse and find new blogs. With this round up, I can see the highlights of great projects from each month from bloggers like you and me! 
Thanks again to the hosts for this great idea....
Pam @ Simple Details, Kris @ Driven by Decor, Lisa @ Shine Your Light, and Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles


Also, Cyndy from the Creativity Exchange happened to paint the exact same light in a different color scheme for her daughter's room revamp. She was inspired by those gorgeous two tone chandys that you see all over the place these days, like here. Using different paints and techniques she was able to achieve this fun, vibrant look that adds so much character. I am now looking for things to paint with the Velvet Finishes paint that she used. Thank you for featuring my version alongside yours Cyndy! I am honored!

the creativity exchange

Have a great Thursday y'all.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Currently Inspired: Moss for Pavers + Pathways

This past weekend at Lowes I was a little excited over these bright shades of green moss and knew I had to bring home a few to incorporate in our yard. We have several different areas that could benefit from the cheery greens: a round patio {DIY by my husband}, and two different pathways off of our deck. We added a fence to the yard this winter and we also are looking at extending one of those pathways from our deck to the gate of the fence.


Although this is much more formal than our backyard, I really love the design of these stones!
 So perfect next to a pool.


A storybook garden here...


Old world charm...


A quaint little back yard.


Loving this look...


And here is guide on how to get moss to grow between pavers, in case you are interested in making your patio pop like me! Hint: add buttermilk! Who would've thought?


Thursday, March 6, 2014

Almost One.


Talk about a wave of emotions over here. My baby turns one tomorrow. I don't even know where to start. This boy came into the world so quickly. One minute I was sitting on the couch chatting with my Mom on the phone, an hour later I kissed my son on his head for the first time. The first of a million kisses before and millions more to come. I feel almost as if the year has felt that quick and strange as well. How has it been a year? The crazy thing is, not only does he turn one tomorrow, but I turn one as a mother. One thing is for sure, I am not the same person I was a year ago today. This boy has turned my world upside down and inside out and I truly don't know what I was doing with my life before him. I know I was put on this Earth to be his Mommy. Thank you God. 


I've been at a loss all week for finding anything appropriate to "post on" and actually questioned why I blog. This is all I could come up with today, with a tear rolling down my cheek. I'm off to finish some birthday preparations- this boy deserves the world!

Monday, March 3, 2014

Tastes of Spring

This weekend we got our official first taste of Spring, and it was glorious. No freezing cold wind blowing us from the car to the door of the house {scrambling with a diaper bag and baby} Gosh that is nice! It feels like it has been forever. Although not as bad as most people, we have had such a cold and wet winter and we are more than happy to bid it farewell. Our weekend was off to an iffy start- we were supposed to go to Raleigh for Stephen's brother's engagement party but we ended up cancelling because our little man was sick all week. No specific thing, just a virus with a nasty temperature at night and major fussiness. Even though he was on the up and up on Friday, we didn't want to chance it. Even when he is sick he will squeeze out a smile for me. Love him! 


Friday night, Stephen's parents watched Weeks for us so we could escape for a dinner out after being cooped up all week with a sick little one. So nice for a break! I just got my hair highlighted last week by my long time favorite stylist in Raleigh and I couldn't be happier. She is the best. It's been almost a year {one YEAR! that is rather ridiculous!} since I have been happy about my hair - post preggo problems...don't even get me started! After extensive amounts spent on shampoo and conditioner, I feel like I am getting somewhere. And, highlights are a girls best friend.


Easy going Saturday night with a new favorite candle burning...


Saturday and Sunday we both did a ton of work outside- moving plants, planting a few new ones, cleaning up the porch, cleaning outdoor furniture cushions...the kind of work that feels good because you know you will enjoy it when you are done. Just one step in prepping for Spring, but we are happy with all we accomplished this weekend. How cute are these chalkboard signs for plants?



Please laugh with me for a second at how hilarious Tucker is in these pictures. I could come up with so many captions for the thoughts running through his head, watching Stephen chop hot-off-the-grill barbecue.



Last but not least, this sweet little guy enjoyed his first bowl of ice cream Sunday night. Why have we not given it to him before? I don't know. He would like to know as well because he loved it! 



Hope your weekend had a peak of Spring too!